Rattan Cane
Calamus rotang

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

An erect or climbing palm. It can have one or several stems. It grows to 10 m long. It is spiny. The leaves are light or mid green. They are 80 cm long and composed of narrow, long, shaped leaflets. The flowers are star shaped and 3 pointed. They are cream and 1.5 cm long. The fruit are round.

There are 375-400 Calamus species. There are 175 species in tropical Asia.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It needs a temperature above 10°C. It needs moist, well-drained soil. It is best in partial shade. Plants are damaged by frost. It grows in thickets in damp ground. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, East Timor, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

The young tender shoots are used as a vegetable. They are also used for chutney with chillies. The fruit are sometimes sucked. They are also pickled with salt and eaten.

The fruit are sold in markets. Shoots are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Shoots, fruit, rhizome

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or sections of the rhizome.

Its other names

Local names

Bet, Chachi bet, Heart, Pemu, Perambu, Pri, Raigong, Sanchi-bet, Tingdon, Vetasa, Vetra

Synonyms

Calamus roxburghii Griffith;